A family law facilitator is a professional who assists people involved in family law proceedings, such as divorce, child custody, and child support cases.
The facilitator may be an attorney, but in some jurisdictions, they may also be a paralegal or other qualified individual.
The role of the family law facilitator is to help people representing themselves in court by providing legal information, procedural guidance, and other resources.
Family law facilitators help with completing legal forms, understanding court rules and procedures, and answering questions about the law.
The court system typically employs family law facilitators and may be available to assist parties in both contested and uncontested family law cases. They can be a valuable resource for those who cannot afford an attorney or who choose to represent themselves in court.
What Services Do Family Law Facilitators Provide?
Family law facilitators provide services to individuals involved in family law cases. Some of the services they may offer include:
1. Provide Legal Information
Family law facilitators can provide a variety of legal information to individuals involved in family law cases. Here are some examples:
- Divorce: Family law facilitators can explain the process of getting a divorce, including how to file for divorce, how property is divided, and how child custody and support are determined.
- Child custody: Family law facilitators can provide information on how child custody is determined, including the factors that a court considers when making a decision.
- Child support: Family law facilitators can explain how child support is calculated, how to obtain a child support order, and how to enforce a child support order.
- Domestic violence: Family law facilitators can provide information on obtaining a restraining order or protective order if an individual is experiencing domestic violence.
- Paternity: Family law facilitators can explain how paternity is established, including DNA testing and other methods.
2. Assistance With Filling Out Legal Forms
Family law facilitators can assist individuals in filling out various legal forms related to family law cases. They can provide guidance and support throughout the process to ensure the forms are completed accurately and timely.
Here are some ways that family law facilitators can help with filling out legal forms:
- Providing instructions: Family law facilitators can provide instructions on how to complete the forms, including which sections to fill out and which documents to attach.
- Checking for completeness: Family law facilitators can review the completed forms to ensure all required information is provided.
- Checking for errors: Family law facilitators can review the completed forms for mistakes or inconsistencies and suggest corrections.
- Providing resources: Family law facilitators can help individuals obtain necessary information, such as financial statements or proof of income for child support calculations.
What Types of Forms Will a Family Law Facilitator Help Fill Out?
A family law facilitator can help individuals fill out various legal forms related to family law cases. Here are some examples of the types of documents that a family law facilitator may assist with:
- Petitions for divorce, legal separation, or annulment.
- Child custody and visitation forms.
- Child support forms.
- Spousal support or alimony forms.
- Property division forms.
- Restraining order or protective order forms.
- Request for order forms, which are used to request orders from the court related to child custody, visitation, support, or other family law issues.
- Response forms, which are used to respond to a petition or request for an order filed by the other party in a family law case.
Family law facilitators can provide guidance and support throughout the process of filling out these forms, including providing instructions on how to complete the forms, reviewing completed forms for completeness and errors, and providing resources to help individuals obtain necessary information.
Family law facilitators can help individuals better navigate the legal system and obtain the relief they need by assisting individuals with these forms.
What Does it Cost to Hire a Family Law Facilitator?
The cost of using a family law facilitator varies depending on the jurisdiction and the services provided.
In most jurisdictions, family law facilitators may provide their services for free. Most family law facilitators are funded by the state or local government, which allows them to offer their services at no cost to individuals involved in family law cases.
However, in jurisdictions with a fee for their services, the cost is typically much lower than hiring a private attorney.
What Legal Areas Will a Family Law Facilitator Not Provide Assistance With?
Family law facilitators typically provide assistance and guidance in legal matters related to family law, such as divorce, child custody, child support, and spousal support.
However, there are certain legal areas in which family law facilitators may be unable to provide assistance. Some examples of legal areas that family law facilitators may not provide assistance with include:
- Criminal law: Family law facilitators are not trained to provide assistance with criminal law matters such as domestic violence, assault, or drug offenses.
- Civil law: Family law facilitators may be unable to assist with civil law matters such as personal injury, breach of contract cases, or landlord/tenant disputes.
- Immigration law: Family law facilitators typically do not provide assistance with immigration law matters such as visas, citizenship, or deportation.
- Estate planning: Family law facilitators may be unable to assist with estate planning matters such as wills, trusts, or probate.
Who Should Consider Using a Family Law Facilitator?
You should consider hiring a family law facilitator if:
- You cannot afford an attorney: Family law facilitators can provide you with assistance at a lower cost than hiring an attorney.
- You are representing yourself: If you are representing yourself in a family law matter, a family law facilitator can provide the guidance and support you need to navigate the legal system.
- You need help preparing legal documents: Family law facilitators can help you prepare legal documents and ensure they are filled out correctly.
FAQs:
Q: How much does it cost to hire a family law facilitator?
A: The cost of hiring a family law facilitator varies depending on the state and the type of assistance you need. Most states’ services may be free or offered at a low cost.
Q: Can a family law facilitator represent me in court?
A: No, family law facilitators cannot represent you in court. They are there to provide you with assistance and support but cannot act as your attorney.
Conclusion
In conclusion, dealing with family law matters can be challenging, especially if you are unfamiliar with the legal system. A family law facilitator can provide the guidance and support you need to navigate the legal process and make informed decisions.